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While both U.S. senators in Tennessee have weighed in on President Trump's decision to reveal classified information to Russian officials, his biggest backers in the state's congressional delegation remain silent.

While Republican and Democratic Congress members have expressed frustration, confusion and anger over a Washington Post report that said President Donald Trump gave classified information to high-ranking Russian officials, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn said it's important to emphasize the president's commitment to security.

"Classified intelligence is a vital tool in fighting Islamic extremism and it is imperative that we are diligent in protecting our sources and methods," Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement Tuesday provided by a spokesman.

"Officials who were in the room have reiterated that no sources or operations were revealed. The president prioritizes the safety and security of the American people first and foremost, and working with other countries to defeat shared threats like ISIS should not be discounted.”

The Post report, since corroborated by multiple media outlets, states Trump discussed details of terrorist plot involving the Islamic State. The conversation, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, puts lives and intelligence gathering capabilities at risk, experts and sources have told USA TODAY and other media.

White House officials continued Tuesday to defend Trump's actions. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said the premise of the of the Post story was false and the president's actions were "wholly appropriate."

Presidents have broad powers to decide when and how to declassify information.

"As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety," Trump said in two tweets.

"Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism."

Kislyak is whom former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had conversations with before Trump's inauguration. Those conversations, and the Department of Justice warning the White House that Flynn may be susceptible to blackmail, played a role in Flynn's firing earlier this year.

Last year, Blackburn and other Tennessee congressional Republicans repeatedly called for punishments, including criminal charges, when the FBI said former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was "extremely careless" with classified information.

“She cared more about her personal perspective and what people would think about her then she cared about keeping the secrets of the country,” said Blackburn in a television interview last summer posted to her official Facebook page.

In October, when then-FBI-Director Jim Comey announced his agency would continue to look at Clinton's emails, U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., said Clinton should be "indicted, not inaugurated."

Representatives for Black and DesJarlais did not respond to questions about the Post report and its ramifications.

U.S. Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, both R-Tenn., questioned White House decision making in the wake of the report. Corker said he thought the administration may be in a "downward spiral" while Alexander questioned whether officials understood the ramifications of their actions.

"Those working in the White House would do well to remember that just a little tilt there can create earthquakes out in the country and around the world," Alexander said.

U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper and Steve Cohen, both D-Tenn., blasted the president and his actions. Cooper said everything about Trump's visit with the Russian "went wrong."

Cohen, frequent Republican critic, suggested the president may need "professional help" for characteristics the congressman believes may harm national interests.

Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892, dboucher@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.